August 24, 2014

             Governor's Cup Wine Tour II, the loss of another colleague, more awards, harvest adjustments,  and a new wine type.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

 Governor's Cup Wine Tour on Long Island

                   Yesterday was Phase II of the Governor's Cup Wine Tour, which started on August 13 in the Finger Lakes before moving to Long Island, where Governor Andrew Cuomo joined me in presenting our Winery of the Year award to Joe and Alexandra Macari of Macari Vineyards & Winery.

                   The "Governor's Cup" is the top award of our annual New York Wine & Food Classic competition, and this year went to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes.  The prestigious Winery of the Year award goes to the winery with the best overall showing in the competition in terms of the numbers and levels of awards received. This is the second year in a row that a Long Island winery took that award, which was again presented at McCall Wines (last year's winner) where the huge Harvest East End festival was held.

                   On both tours, a large group of VIP's visited a distillery and a winery, with a brewery added for the Long Island event.  At the Governor's Cup dinner in the Finger Lakes, Lieutenant Governor Bob Duffy presented the award, while Governor Cuomo did the honors at the Harvest East End festival where there were dozens of wineries and hundreds of eager wine lovers.

                   We also announced the "Best Long Island" wines in various categories, which included Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard 2012 Cheval Bleu (dessert wine), Wolffer Estate 2013 Grandioso Rose, Martha Clara Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay, Sparkling Pointe 2005 Brut Seduction, and Macari 2010 Cabernet Franc.  The last two wines were also named "Best New York" at the Classic.

                    The event had a bittersweet tinge, with both celebration and sorrow.  In addition to the winery awards, Joe Gergela, who has been Executive Director of Long Island Farm Bureau for about 25 years and is soon retiring, was deservedly honored for his years of service and many accomplishments.

                     But this week also marked the passing of Dr. Herodotus "Dan" Damianos, who created PindarVineyards as Long Island's largest vineyard and winery, and also owned Duck Walk Winery and Jason's Vineyard.  Dr. Dan was truly a renaissance man--physician, entrepreneur, wine connoisseur, art lover, captivating raconteur, and irrepressible bon vivant.  His passing, combined with those of Ann Marie and Marco Borghese about a month ago, remind us that every day is a gift.

                    Several wineries recently received Gold medals, high scores and nice reviews in various places.

                    Casa Larga Vineyards, a top producer of ice wines, received a 93 and "exceptional" rating from Beverage Testing Institute for its 2010 Block One Ice Wine, which also won Gold at the Denver International Wine Competition along with the 2013 Vidal Blanc.

                     Silver Thread Vineyard scored three 90 ratings from Wine Spectator, for three single vineyard 2013 Rieslings: Doyle Vineyard; Randolph O'Neill Vineyard; and Gridley Vineyard.

                     Tug Hill Vineyards in the North Country won Double Gold medals for its 43 Lat Blush and 2013 Cuvee Rose wines at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition in Minnesota.                       

                      "Polar Vortex" events last winter in New York's upstate regions were bound to have an effect on the 2014 grape crop, and indeed they did, particularly in the Finger Lakes and North Country regions of the State.  In the Finger Lakes, the relative damage (if any) clearly depended on a combination of grape variety, but especially precise location.  For example, most vineyards on the southeast end of Seneca Lake suffered little if any damage, while those to the north near Geneva, especially on the west side of the lake, were hit hard.

                       This week, Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball announced that, due to the effects of the harsh winter conditions on some grape varieties, New York farm wineries (which normally must use 100% New York-grown fruit) may source grapes and juice from out of state without having to change their license.  This determination is based on a law first passed in 2005, following another severe winter, in order to allow New York wineries to have enough product to maintain their hard-fought shelf space in wine stores and places on restaurant wine lists.

                        The Commissioner's determination was based on extensive field research and grower surveys conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension, reaffirming how valuable CCE is to our industry in so many ways.

                        Aromella is one of the newest grape varieties created and released by Cornell University, and Goose Watch Winery is the first in the world to release an Aromella wine.  Grape breeder Bruce Reisch is one of the top experts in the world, having developed many other popular varieties like Cayuga White, Traminette, and Noiret which are particularly suited to the northeastern climate while producing elegant, European-style wines.